Shen blamed the sluggish world economy for rising trade protectionism.

"The world economy will maintain slow growth in 2013 with rising trade protectionism. China's trade growth in 2013 will face headwinds owing to a challenging external environment," he said during a news conference on Dec 18.

China's share of global trade is expected to further expand this year from the 10.5 percent in 2011. The share was 11.1 percent in the first nine months of 2012, according to Shen.

 

Following the accession to the World Trade Organization, China will automatically get full market economy status by 2016, and Wei projected increasing trade frictions before then.

Market economy status will reduce the legal basis and policy instruments to curb Chinese exports and make anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations less frequent.

Facing a challenging trade outlook, Wei called for the government to draw up a plan to hit back at trade frictions against China.

"Moreover, Chinese enterprises should also stand up against external challenges," he said.

China's leading shoemaker, Aokang Group Co Ltd, won a legal case in late November against the EU's anti-dumping measures on Chinese leather shoes following the EU imposition of anti-dumping duties of 16.5 percent on imports of Chinese shoes in 2006.

Experts said that the company will get more than 5 million yuan ($801,600) in compensation for legal costs, and importers and exporters in trade relations with Aokang will recover the anti-dumping duties levied by the EU during the past six years.

Contact the writer at lijiabao@chinadaily.com.cn

 

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Opinions

When will protectionism end?

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EU probe ignores China's goodwill

Anti-dumping investigation threat